Two things helped to stabilize my net worth over the past month. First of all, the bonus, although relatively small, helped me out. Unfortunately, that money will go to my car insurance payment and the balance due on my taxes. Secondly, the market turned upwards in February, so my investments gained some value, although that makes little difference to me until I liquify the funds. That’s not part of my plan for many, many years.
If you look at the chart, you’ll see I switched a few things and made some changes.
- I’m evaluating my funds on the last day of the month now instead of the first. I’ve revised the past numbers to fit the new accounting style.
- I reevaluated the value of my car through edmunds.com, including past values.
- My next paycheck (to be received this week) will be the first to include a reduction of 401(k) pretax contribution from 12% to 4%.
- My student loan is now in deferrment since I have started taking classes for my MBA again.
Continue reading to see the numbers.
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1:36 pm (reply)
This is a nice rolloup. Did you come up with the format yourself is Excel or do you use some other software to gather data and figure out the overall monthly based on payments, etc? I need to set this sort of thing up for myself. Why so much less into the 401K?
3:53 pm (reply)
The layout is based on a report from Quicken but it’s done in Excel. I export a report from Quicken and copy and paste the values into the Excel format.
I reduced the 401(k) because I can’t make a higher contribution and meet all my expenses. The next step is to find a job where I can be paid enough to max out the 401(k).
9:50 pm (reply)
How do you to set up those sub-accounts at ING? I tried a couple days ago and couldn’t find the link for the life of me. TIA,
Jonathan@MyMoneyBlog
10:18 pm (reply)
Hi Jonathan,
at ING Direct, just open another savings account. You can open multiple accounts under the same login id/customer information. They just call them accounts instead of sub-accounts. Technically, they are sub-accounts because FDIC considers your total in savings when it comes to coverage.
2:57 pm (reply)
Have you prepared a similar spreadsheet to track monthly expenses and savings?
12:17 am (reply)
Good idea, Ed. Posted.
8:07 am (reply)
Hi –
Noticed that you’re using the Upromise credit card. I used to use this card but switched to the 2% Fidelity 529 card for college savings. I think I did a pretty thorough comparison and made the right choice, but am curious if I missed anything. The main drawback of the Fidelity card is that you have to use their 529 products – but I’m OK with that.
BTW – I don’t work for Fidelity. I do have 4 kids though and maximizing college savings is important to me.
Thanks
Tim
9:06 am (reply)
I use the Upromise credit card, but I do not invest in a 529. I have the rebate returned directly to me.